Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 5 – 11, 2025
Mental Illness Awareness Week is here! This year’s theme is Community: Supporting Mental Well-Being Together. The purpose of MIAW is to educate the public about mental illness, address misconceptions, and reduce the stigma associated with it. This in turn promotes acceptance, respect and equitable treatment for those living with mental illness all while reducing stigma.
As we move through the chapters of our life, our mental health is always changing. This is especially true for post-secondary students. According to the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, 75% of post secondary students struggle with their mental health and 61% developed new mental health challenges in the past year. National surveys indicate a significant percentage of Canadian post secondary students experience depression and anxiety disorders.
What can you do? One of the most helpful ways to reduce stigma around mental illness is to educate yourself about mental health, specifically in how you talk about mental health and mental illness. Mental health awareness and literacy can help to empower you to understand and manage your own well-being and help to support others.
How to get involved?
Join in one or more of the RRC Campus Well-Being Mental Illness Awareness Week Events.
SJA Therapy Dogs
11:30 am to 1 pm
October 7 at EDC, October 9 @ NDC
Community Mental Health Fair
11 am to 1 pm
October 7 @ EDC, October 8 @NDC
The Better Brain Diet MindWell Webinar
October 7 at 12 pm.
11:30 am to 12:30 pm
October 8 @ NDC Prairie Lights.
Sources
Mental Health Commission of Canada – Language Matters Cheat Sheet
Canadian Alliance of Student Associations